Why does God allow suffering?

[Anonymous]

This question presumes that God exists. If you believe that, you can always think of a reason why God would do or not do something. There's not one right answer. You make up whatever works for you.

If you think too much about it, you might lose your faith. So if you truly believe, you'll always trust God and be able to come up with a reason why he does what he does. If you can't explain God, then you might stop believing that he exists. That prospect can be frightening or freeing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you think too much about it, you might lose your faith. So if you truly believe, you'll always trust God and be able to come up with a reason why he does what he does. If you can't explain God, then you might stop believing that he exists. That prospect can be frightening or freeing.

Frightening? If you only knew how terrifying this sounds to me.

Please answer this question: what other thing in your life do you treat this way?

[Anonymous]

The only persuasive answer I have heard (from my DH who grew up Catholic and also studied Buddhism) is that God allows suffering to teach us compassion and empathy. Only if you have experienced suffering can you relate to those who are presently suffering and do "good" things to help them.

There is also the free will explanation (i.e., people choose to inflect suffering on others) but, to me, that is not fully persuasive. Free will does not account for things that are outside human control, like children dying of cancer or natural disasters.

This question is THE major impediment to my faith. Either God is all powerful and somewhat apathetic or sadistic to allow profound suffering, or God is not all powerful. Both things cannot be true. So I really, really struggle with this and don't have a good answer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:God NEVER ALLOWS suffering. God is love and caring always.

EVIL allows suffering. Feeds on it. You will soon learn about evil and what it's done.

Why does God allow evil?

Is God the creator of everything?

Did God create evil?

Why did God create evil?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you think too much about it, you might lose your faith. So if you truly believe, you'll always trust God and be able to come up with a reason why he does what he does. If you can't explain God, then you might stop believing that he exists. That prospect can be frightening or freeing.

Frightening? If you only knew how terrifying this sounds to me.

Please answer this question: what other thing in your life do you treat this way?

e.g., Santa Claus - I was skeptical after a while, but the thought of not believing in him was tempered by knowing the gifts would continue and that other big kids and all adults also did not believe in him. Also, in the case of Santa, there was peer pressure after a certain age not to believe.

In our culture, it's often the opposite with God. There is societal pressure to believe in him, or at least not to openly say you don't believe. It's OK to express doubts, though, with the expectation that you will return to belief.

Please answer this question: What about the prospect of there being no God sounds terrifying to you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you think too much about it, you might lose your faith. So if you truly believe, you'll always trust God and be able to come up with a reason why he does what he does. If you can't explain God, then you might stop believing that he exists. That prospect can be frightening or freeing.

Frightening? If you only knew how terrifying this sounds to me.

Please answer this question: what other thing in your life do you treat this way?

e.g., Santa Claus - I was skeptical after a while, but the thought of not believing in him was tempered by knowing the gifts would continue and that other big kids and all adults also did not believe in him. Also, in the case of Santa, there was peer pressure after a certain age not to believe.

In our culture, it's often the opposite with God. There is societal pressure to believe in him, or at least not to openly say you don't believe. It's OK to express doubts, though, with the expectation that you will return to belief.

Please answer this question: What about the prospect of there being no God sounds terrifying to you?

PP here. None. I do not believe in a god. It's the rationalization and denial that is terrifying to me. There is no other aspect of life, no matter how trivial, that requires that much denial of reality. I blame many of the world's ills on it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only persuasive answer I have heard (from my DH who grew up Catholic and also studied Buddhism) is that God allows suffering to teach us compassion and empathy. Only if you have experienced suffering can you relate to those who are presently suffering and do "good" things to help them.

There is also the free will explanation (i.e., people choose to inflect suffering on others) but, to me, that is not fully persuasive. Free will does not account for things that are outside human control, like children dying of cancer or natural disasters.

This question is THE major impediment to my faith. Either God is all powerful and somewhat apathetic or sadistic to allow profound suffering, or God is not all powerful. Both things cannot be true. So I really, really struggle with this and don't have a good answer.

so the babies who starve to death in Somalia do so to teach us a lesson? And we worship the being doing this? If that's the best explanation, then your God sounds pretty evil

[Anonymous]

so the babies who starve to death in Somalia do so to teach us a lesson? And we worship the being doing this? If that's the best explanation, then your God sounds pretty evil

I am not the OP but I want to respond to this.

You presume that God is the cause of starving babies rather than the wicked, evil, and ungodly actions of the Somalis themselves. The Somalis are pirates -- sea-thieves, among other things. God has plainly stated in the bible that if you obey God's commandments you will have life. If you don't:

But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away...I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land --Deuteronomy 30:17

therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live

God gives all people a choice. The Somalis have chosen to be evil and to do evil. And notice God says to choose life so that thy seed may live. Your seed is your babies. It clearly says the babies will die also. Babies grow up to be adults doing the same evil things their parents did.

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days --Deuteronomy 30:19

Choose Jesus, choose Life. It's a choice. It does not make God evil that he judges and holds people accountable for their actions.
Although all this was directed to the Israelites, it pertains to all nations.

You seem to think the Somalis are these innocent people when they are not. They are slave traders:

The terrorist organization [Al-Shabaab] also enslaved an indeterminate number of young girls and exploited them in sexual servitude.
Source: US Dept. of State, '2019 Trafficking in Persons Report: Somalia'

All the outrage in America is directed at statues of long dead slave owners but hardly anything is said about the Somalis who are engaging in slavery in the 21st century! And you somehow think these Somalis are innocent? That God does not see their wicked deeds the stench of which rises up to the throne of heaven itself?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

so the babies who starve to death in Somalia do so to teach us a lesson? And we worship the being doing this? If that's the best explanation, then your God sounds pretty evil

I am not the OP but I want to respond to this.

You presume that God is the cause of starving babies rather than the wicked, evil, and ungodly actions of the Somalis themselves. The Somalis are pirates -- sea-thieves, among other things. God has plainly stated in the bible that if you obey God's commandments you will have life. If you don't:

But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away...I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land --Deuteronomy 30:17

therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live

God gives all people a choice. The Somalis have chosen to be evil and to do evil. And notice God says to choose life so that thy seed may live. Your seed is your babies. It clearly says the babies will die also. Babies grow up to be adults doing the same evil things their parents did.

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days --Deuteronomy 30:19

Choose Jesus, choose Life. It's a choice. It does not make God evil that he judges and holds people accountable for their actions.
Although all this was directed to the Israelites, it pertains to all nations.

You seem to think the Somalis are these innocent people when they are not. They are slave traders:

The terrorist organization [Al-Shabaab] also enslaved an indeterminate number of young girls and exploited them in sexual servitude.
Source: US Dept. of State, '2019 Trafficking in Persons Report: Somalia'

All the outrage in America is directed at statues of long dead slave owners but hardly anything is said about the Somalis who are engaging in slavery in the 21st century! And you somehow think these Somalis are innocent? That God does not see their wicked deeds the stench of which rises up to the throne of heaven itself?

Are you seriously blaming famine and death of children on the actions of pirates who happen to share a country with them?

You are either a horrible monster, incredibly stupid, or both. There is no hell, but if there were, you would be headed straight for it.

[Anonymous]

Come on, the major symbol of Christianity was a common torture device in its day. Yes. Suffering is addressed. Over and over again.

I think the question is, “why does suffering exist for good/innocent people or people who did not choose it?” right? Or are you asking why any unhappiness exists at all?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

so the babies who starve to death in Somalia do so to teach us a lesson? And we worship the being doing this? If that's the best explanation, then your God sounds pretty evil

I am not the OP but I want to respond to this.

You presume that God is the cause of starving babies rather than the wicked, evil, and ungodly actions of the Somalis themselves. The Somalis are pirates -- sea-thieves, among other things. God has plainly stated in the bible that if you obey God's commandments you will have life. If you don't:

But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away...I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land --Deuteronomy 30:17

therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live

God gives all people a choice. The Somalis have chosen to be evil and to do evil. And notice God says to choose life so that thy seed may live. Your seed is your babies. It clearly says the babies will die also. Babies grow up to be adults doing the same evil things their parents did.

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days --Deuteronomy 30:19

Choose Jesus, choose Life. It's a choice. It does not make God evil that he judges and holds people accountable for their actions.
Although all this was directed to the Israelites, it pertains to all nations.

You seem to think the Somalis are these innocent people when they are not. They are slave traders:

The terrorist organization [Al-Shabaab] also enslaved an indeterminate number of young girls and exploited them in sexual servitude.
Source: US Dept. of State, '2019 Trafficking in Persons Report: Somalia'

All the outrage in America is directed at statues of long dead slave owners but hardly anything is said about the Somalis who are engaging in slavery in the 21st century! And you somehow think these Somalis are innocent? That God does not see their wicked deeds the stench of which rises up to the throne of heaven itself?

Are you seriously blaming famine and death of children on the actions of pirates who happen to share a country with them?

You are either a horrible monster, incredibly stupid, or both. There is no hell, but if there were, you would be headed straight for it.

I am indeed blaming the famine and death of children on the actions of the entire nation of Somalia which happens to include from the bottom rung of their society to the top levels of government pirates, slavers, murderers, thieves, pederasts and pedophiles, and all manner of wicked, sinful behavior for which God is justly judging them.

You still keep thinking Somalia is innocent because some babies died. These babies are the children of wicked, evil people, no different than if they were the children of Adolf Hitler whose seed would grow up to be murderous Nazis. No difference. Somalia has been judged and found wanting. No nation can defy the laws of God and go unpunished indefinitely. This includes the United States and its murder of millions of unborn children because of the sins of adultery and fornication, not to mention homosexuality which is an abomination in the eyes of God. Abominable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I am indeed blaming the famine and death of children on the actions of the entire nation of Somalia which happens to include from the bottom rung of their society to the top levels of government pirates, slavers, murderers, thieves, pederasts and pedophiles, and all manner of wicked, sinful behavior for which God is justly judging them.

You still keep thinking Somalia is innocent because some babies died. These babies are the children of wicked, evil people, no different than if they were the children of Adolf Hitler whose seed would grow up to be murderous Nazis. No difference. Somalia has been judged and found wanting. No nation can defy the laws of God and go unpunished indefinitely. This includes the United States and its murder of millions of unborn children because of the sins of adultery and fornication, not to mention homosexuality which is an abomination in the eyes of God. Abominable.

You are a monster. Since here it is OK to believe things that are likely false, I will choose to believe that you are a troll trying to make religious people look horrible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I am indeed blaming the famine and death of children on the actions of the entire nation of Somalia which happens to include from the bottom rung of their society to the top levels of government pirates, slavers, murderers, thieves, pederasts and pedophiles, and all manner of wicked, sinful behavior for which God is justly judging them.

You still keep thinking Somalia is innocent because some babies died. These babies are the children of wicked, evil people, no different than if they were the children of Adolf Hitler whose seed would grow up to be murderous Nazis. No difference. Somalia has been judged and found wanting. No nation can defy the laws of God and go unpunished indefinitely. This includes the United States and its murder of millions of unborn children because of the sins of adultery and fornication, not to mention homosexuality which is an abomination in the eyes of God. Abominable.

You are a monster. Since here it is OK to believe things that are likely false, I will choose to believe that you are a troll trying to make religious people look horrible.

Not a troll. Being accused of one is what people do when they have no argument against the truth. I used the bible to show that God will cause a famine and destroy babies for the wickedness of the people. It is why God destroyed Sodom an Gomorrah. It is in the bible. The bible is true and I believe exactly what it says.

God punishes a nation for its abominations, such as homosexuality:

Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination...And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants --Leviticus 18:22

In California, the land is vomiting out by fire the inhabitants.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I am indeed blaming the famine and death of children on the actions of the entire nation of Somalia which happens to include from the bottom rung of their society to the top levels of government pirates, slavers, murderers, thieves, pederasts and pedophiles, and all manner of wicked, sinful behavior for which God is justly judging them.

You still keep thinking Somalia is innocent because some babies died. These babies are the children of wicked, evil people, no different than if they were the children of Adolf Hitler whose seed would grow up to be murderous Nazis. No difference. Somalia has been judged and found wanting. No nation can defy the laws of God and go unpunished indefinitely. This includes the United States and its murder of millions of unborn children because of the sins of adultery and fornication, not to mention homosexuality which is an abomination in the eyes of God. Abominable.

You are a monster. Since here it is OK to believe things that are likely false, I will choose to believe that you are a troll trying to make religious people look horrible.

Not a troll. Being accused of one is what people do when they have no argument against the truth. I used the bible to show that God will cause a famine and destroy babies for the wickedness of the people. It is why God destroyed Sodom an Gomorrah. It is in the bible. The bible is true and I believe exactly what it says.

God punishes a nation for its abominations, such as homosexuality:

Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination...And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants --Leviticus 18:22

In California, the land is vomiting out by fire the inhabitants.

Sounds like a pretty horrible god. why do you believe in him?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I am indeed blaming the famine and death of children on the actions of the entire nation of Somalia which happens to include from the bottom rung of their society to the top levels of government pirates, slavers, murderers, thieves, pederasts and pedophiles, and all manner of wicked, sinful behavior for which God is justly judging them.

You still keep thinking Somalia is innocent because some babies died. These babies are the children of wicked, evil people, no different than if they were the children of Adolf Hitler whose seed would grow up to be murderous Nazis. No difference. Somalia has been judged and found wanting. No nation can defy the laws of God and go unpunished indefinitely. This includes the United States and its murder of millions of unborn children because of the sins of adultery and fornication, not to mention homosexuality which is an abomination in the eyes of God. Abominable.

You are a monster. Since here it is OK to believe things that are likely false, I will choose to believe that you are a troll trying to make religious people look horrible.

Not a troll. Being accused of one is what people do when they have no argument against the truth. I used the bible to show that God will cause a famine and destroy babies for the wickedness of the people. It is why God destroyed Sodom an Gomorrah. It is in the bible. The bible is true and I believe exactly what it says.

God punishes a nation for its abominations, such as homosexuality:

Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination...And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants --Leviticus 18:22

In California, the land is vomiting out by fire the inhabitants.

I responded earlier at 19:54. The above seems like an ancient, pagan view on the nature of God/gods. I don’t know many Christians who believe that God is dispensing earthly rewards and punishments like this. It’s more reminiscent “Thd Odyssey” than anything in the Gospels.